Ellen DeGeneres: ‘I’m Going to be a Great Judge’

Sounds as if Ellen DeGeneres may have had enough with the critics - both professional and not - who argue that she unqualified to succeed Paula Abdul on ‘American Idol.’

“Apparently, there’s a lot of debate going on right now whether I’m qualified or not to be the new judge on ‘American Idol,’ DeGeneres said on her syndicated talk show. I’ll tell you right now, how I know I’m going to be a great judge - because I’ve spent my whole life being judged. So, I know what it’s like. So, I will be kind. I will be compassionate. I will be empathetic, and I will be truthful. I will be an honest judge without being mean.”

The new season of “American Idol” kicks off next January on FOX and DeGeneres assures us that she’s ready to hit the road with the rest of the judges.

“I’m very excited to be on the show,” she said. “I will tell you that right now. I just continue to be excited every single day. I knew people would have opinions, and I did not want to know what they were because why should I take that stuff in? I try not to watch anything that I think is going to be talking about me.”

Ellen also addressed Abdul’s impersonation of her on last week’s “VH1 Diva’s Live.”

“I have nothing but love for you too Paula - but I want my wig back. I really do. Give it back.”

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